Succession to the Dutch throne facts for kids

Throne in the Ridderzaal, where the Dutch monarch gives a speech on Prince's Day.

The Netherlands is a monarchy, which means it has a king or queen as its head of state. The line of succession is the order of people who can become the next king or queen. This order is very important to make sure there is always a leader.

Since 1983, the rules for who inherits the crown have been quite simple. It's called absolute primogeniture. This means the first-born child of the monarch becomes the next in line, no matter if they are a boy or a girl.

Before 1983, the rules were different. From 1814 to 1887, a king or queen could only be followed by a female relative if there were no male relatives who could take the throne. Then, from 1887 to 1983, a rule called male-preference cognatic primogeniture was used. This meant boys would inherit the throne before girls, even if the girl was older.

In 1922, another rule was added. It limits the line of succession to people who are closely related to the current monarch. Only relatives within three steps of kinship (like children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren) can be in line for the throne. If an aunt or uncle becomes monarch, people who were previously too far away might become eligible again.

In 2021, the Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, made an important statement. He said that the monarch and the person next in line to the throne can marry someone of the same sex. They would not have to give up their place in the line of succession if they did.

Who is Next in Line for the Dutch Throne?

This list shows the people who are currently in line to become the next King or Queen of the Netherlands. The numbers show their place in the order.

See also

In Spanish: Sucesión al trono neerlandés para niños

• List of heirs to the Dutch throne
• Monarchy of the Netherlands